Egle Eller-Nabi: bikini fitness and family

Egle Eller-Nabi discovered bikini fitness after the birth of her first child and stayed with the sport because performing on stage, training and making progress immediately felt right for her. This article looks at her journey, training and nutrition, along with three simple tips for anyone who wants to get in better shape.

Why Egle’s story matters

Egle Eller-Nabi is a familiar name in Estonian fitness. She has been involved in bikini fitness since the sport was still relatively unknown here. It all began around 8.5 years after the birth of her first child, when she entered and won Fitness Model Estonia.

That experience left her feeling this was more than just a chance to step on stage. It was a path worth pursuing. Bikini fitness was still taking shape at the time, and Egle says she is glad to have been there at the sport’s beginnings.

Her biggest achievement? Earning her IFBB Professional League pro card in 2015. A year later, she won San Marino Pro, taking her straight to the Mr. Olympia stage. Highlights of her amateur career included second place at Arnold Classic Amateur USA, and second and third place at Arnold Classic Europe. For an Estonian athlete, those results were a major achievement.

How Egle trains and recovers

Egle’s background extends well beyond the gym. She has danced for nearly 20 years and has been performing on stage from a very young age. As a child, she performed at local events, elsewhere in Estonia, and even in Finland and Sweden. Later came dance shows and work as a dance instructor.

During her school years, she also found time for athletics, tennis and volleyball. On Hiiumaa, the rule was simple: if you were sporty, you had to take part in everything. It is a pretty good description of her attitude later in life, too.

These days, her main focus is the gym. She averages five workouts a week, with each workout lasting around 60 minutes. Her strength workouts do not drag on because the work is demanding and precise. Her program includes plenty of compound exercises: deadlifts, squats, pull-ups and bench presses. For her, a squat rack is practically essential.

A training cycle usually lasts 8–10 weeks. Within that cycle, the program, reps and exercise variations change. Tempo, range of motion, foot and hand placement, and rest periods are all carefully considered. Every detail counts.

Recovery matters just as much as effort. If Egle ignores the need to take things easier for 1–2 weeks, her body soon lets her know: recovery suffers and motivation drops. During a break, she stays active but takes time off strength training. Running, inline skating or yoga fit the bill.

Egle’s nutrition and daily routine

When it comes to nutrition, Egle does not believe in weighing her food every day and carrying meal containers everywhere. Over the years, she has found her own rhythm. She does plan her meals, but it is simply a natural part of her day rather than a project in itself.

Her diet includes plenty of salads, vegetables, meat, fish, seeds, nuts, berries, fruit and whole grains. She prefers quality, minimally processed food. That does not mean all sweet treats are off the menu, though. Dark chocolate is one of her favorites.

The simple truth is that if your overall diet is balanced and varied, there is no need to panic over every bite. She rarely eats fast food or deep-fried foods, mainly because they leave her feeling unwell.

She names beef fillet with asparagus and chocolate truffles among her favorite foods. Her choice of supplements depends on the phase she is in and what she needs. Vitamin D and omega-3 often feature, along with whey protein and a BCAA drink alongside training. She sometimes adds probiotics during winter.

Practical lessons for getting in shape

What motivates her? Change and progress. For Egle, that applies as an athlete, a coach and a person. She enjoys learning about nutrition, training and personal development, then putting that knowledge into practice.

She sees defeat as a lesson rather than the end of the road. Sometimes an experience simply teaches you how not to do something. That is useful information, too.

To unwind, she needs time with her family and a change of scenery. Her husband is also an elite athlete, which makes their time together especially valuable. They often head to the forests of Hiiumaa or seek out sunshine in a warmer climate. Their trips usually involve staying active and spending time together as a family.

Her three tips for getting in better shape are brief but to the point: set a specific goal, seek qualified advice and get to work. The wording is simple enough. Consistency is the hard part.

FAQ: Egle and bikini fitness

When did Egle start bikini fitness?

She discovered bikini fitness after the birth of her first child. Her Fitness Model Estonia win in 2011 came first, followed by a clear desire to progress in the sport.

What is her greatest sporting achievement?

She considers her greatest achievements to be earning her IFBB Professional League pro card in 2015 and winning San Marino Pro a year later, which took her to the Mr. Olympia stage.